Bug Bites and Stings: Keep itching and scratching out of your summer fun

Summertime means longer days, endless outdoor fun along with unwelcome bug bites. In Kansas and Missouri, mosquitoes and chiggers are most common. However, itching and scratching do not have to be part of your warm weather activities. When you understand how to prevent bug bites and treat them if necessary, summer will become more enjoyable.

You may wonder if some bugs have special radar that directs them toward your child. “Mosquitoes usually bite on parts of the skin that are not covered by clothing, and chiggers love tight-fitting clothing like around your socks and under waist bands,” says Dr. John Hall, a Kansas City dermatologist. Bug bites can be mild to severe, with some requiring topical medicine or oral antibiotics and others needing intravenous antibiotics or hospitalization. Typically recognizable as bumps that itch, they may form a sore. Try to keep your child from scratching, because it can lead to staph infections or MRSA. If the sore is draining pus, bring your child in to see his doctor.

Although bites are sometimes unavoidable, there are some things you can do to act preventatively. “Most bugs bite at dawn and dusk so you should try to be indoors at those times. Put on repellent, wear long clothes and avoid standing pools of water because that is where mosquitoes breed,” advises Dr. Vidya Sharma, Children’s Mercy Hospital dermatologist. Hall recommends keeping standing water away from your home and dumping out water from bird baths and refilling them daily if possible. Make sure to keep your grass trimmed. Avoid combination sunscreen bug repellents, as it is better to use separate products and apply sunscreen first and bug repellent second. If you are planning to be outdoors for a period of time, try not to wear a scent or perfume as it may attract bugs.

Several options are available for treatment. “You should apply DEET insecticide to clothes or use topical cortisone which can help,” informs Hall. Some home remedies work well. “Aloe, tea tree oil or lavender oil are really good. Rubbing good, white, solid deodorant can take out the itch,” explains Stacey Goldsmith, licensed esthetician at Omo’s Skin Center in Overland Park.

If your family likes hiking or camping, you may worry about ticks. Lyme disease is not very common in Kansas or Missouri but is prevalent in Oklahoma, Wisconsin and the northeast. It is treated by removing the ticks but can still lead to sores, pus and internal sickness. As your flowers begin to bloom, you are bound to hear the buzzing sound of bees. Do not run or swat at them. Bee stings can be dangerous if your child is allergic.

Although bugs are unavoidable, when you take precautions and protect your family, bug bites and stings are less likely to occur. Remember that your pets are part of your family. They may bring fleas or ticks into your house without your realizing it, so make sure to ask your veterinarian to recommend a preventative product for your dog or cat. Enjoy the environment this summer, but be prepared and stay safe.